athenamediaieEpisode 3 broadcast on 17th October 2011 on the Today with Pat Kenny Show on RTÉ Radio 1, presented by Ella McSweeney
The Woolly Way
It’s a fact all too well known if you farm sheep for a living – but it’s still a surprise to those of us who don’t - to learn that Irish wool, once a premium product, is hardly ever used in knitting anymore. Aran Sweaters, Foxford Rugs, Donegal Tweed - all synonymous with Ireland, and all made with imported wool. One lady who is trying to boost the market for Irish wool is Freda McGill, who keeps rare breed Wendsleydale Sheep in Co. Down. She runs the “Wool Initiative” that connects craftspeople with farmers.
FelicityVFordThe machine is amazing; it spins beautiful, worsted yarn and is operated by Roger down in East Sussex. It is a very small and very precious enterprise, and many of the machines are salvaged from old spinning mills up North. The whole place smells of engine oil (a great smell) mixed with the smell of sheep fleeces, and when everything is going full tilt, it makes a mighty racket! It's one of the only places where small farmers with tiny flocks can go to get their fleeces spun up and I love it and hope we will still be able to hear this sound in years to come.
soundmapI like the look of the machine in your photo as well as how it sounds. Many thanks, your recording's now on the UK Soundmap.
athenamediaieEpisode 3 broadcast on 17th October 2011 on the Today with Pat Kenny Show on RTÉ Radio 1, presented by Ella McSweeney
The Woolly Way
It’s a fact all too well known if you farm sheep for a living – but it’s still a surprise to those of us who don’t - to learn that Irish wool, once a premium product, is hardly ever used in knitting anymore. Aran Sweaters, Foxford Rugs, Donegal Tweed - all synonymous with Ireland, and all made with imported wool. One lady who is trying to boost the market for Irish wool is Freda McGill, who keeps rare breed Wendsleydale Sheep in Co. Down. She runs the “Wool Initiative” that connects craftspeople with farmers.
